Vehicle entry/egress assistance device

ABSTRACT

An assistance device for entering and leaving a vehicle includes a handle member for supporting at least part of the weight of the user grasping a handle of the handle member, a striker pin insertion post for extending into the opening of a striker pin in the door frame, for supporting at least part of the weight of a user grasping the handle, and a pair of outrigger side portions extending transversely outwardly of the insertion post, on respective opposite sides of the handle member and insertion post, each having a transverse width greater than a transverse width of the insertion post for impeding entry of the insertion post into the opening of the striker pin when the handle member is outside the plane of the door frame.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. design patent applicationSer. No. 29/517,992 filed Feb. 19, 2015, and also a continuation-in-partof U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/526,110 filed May 6, 2015,and also a continuation-in-part of U.S. design patent application Ser.No. 29/534,989, filed Aug. 3, 2015, all of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of aides forhelping the elderly, disabled or infirmed and, in particular, to a newand useful assistance device for aiding a user to enter and leave avehicle which has a door latch striker or striker pin with an opening,the latch striker or striker pin extending from a side of the door frameand within the plane of the door frame.

Devices for helping persons, in particular elderly, disabled or infirmedpersons, such as those suffering from back, knee or hip pain or thoserecovering from surgery or an injury, to get into and out of a vehicle,in particular an automobile, are known.

British Patent Application GB 2 347 457 A to Davis for Aids for Use inMotor Vehicles, discloses an aid for use in facilitating exit from amotor vehicle that includes a first part which is shaped so that it canbe fitted in a U-shaped door latch striker of a vehicle when the door isopen, and a second part in the form of a handle which engages into thefirst part to project outwardly of the vehicle and be grasped manuallyto support a person getting out of the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,340,189 to Pordy for a Universal Device for FacilitatingMovement Into and Out of a Seat, discloses a device that facilitatesegress and/or ingress of a passenger from a vehicle having a dooropening with a post or pillar to one side of an individual's seat in thevehicle. This patent teaches extending an elongate handle of the deviceoutwardly of the door opening so that it can be gripped by thepassenger. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the person,especially an elderly or infirmed person, must hold the outwardlyextending handle in an awkward position as he or she turns to either sitin the seat when entering the vehicle, or when turning and rising toleave the vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,353 to Stewart teaches the same outward placementfor a support handle for assisting individuals in exiting and enteringmotor vehicles.

A need remains for an improved device for aiding a user to enter andleave a vehicle in an ergonomic manner, especially since such devicesare meant to be used by the elderly and/or the disabled and/or personswith joint pain or these recovering from surgery or an injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an assistance devicefor entering and leaving a vehicle that comprises a handle member forsupporting at least part of the weight of a user grasping the handle ora handle member and pushing downwardly on it, a latch striker or strikerpin insertion post for extending into and hooking the opening of a doorlatch striker or striker pin of a door frame of the vehicle, the doorframe having a plane and an outrigger having a pair of side portionsextending transversely outwardly of the insertion post, on respectiveopposite sides of the handle member and insertion post.

An object of the outrigger side portions is to impede insertion of theinsertion post into the U-shaped opening of the latch striker or strikerpin if the handle member is outside the plane of the door frame.

This establishes a more ergonomic position for the device and animprovement in the stability of the device as it is being grasped anddownward pressure is being exerted to help the user rise from thevehicle seat and leave the vehicle, and conversely, as the user entersthe vehicle door and sits in the vehicle seat.

Accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide an improvedassistance device for aiding a user to enter and leave a vehicle througha door frame of the vehicle, the door frame having a striker pinextending from a side of the door frame and being within a plane of thedoor frame at a location spaced from an exterior of the door frame, thestriker pin having an opening, the device comprising a handle member ofa size, shape and strength adapted to be grasped by the hand of a user,for supporting at least part of the weight of the user, a striker pininsertion post connected to an end or side of the handle member, theinsertion post being of a size, shape and strength adapted to extendinto the opening of the striker pin for supporting at least part of theweight of the user grasping the handle member, and an outriggerconnected to the handle member and the insertion post and havingopposite side portions extending transversely outwardly of the insertionpost on respective opposite sides of the handle member and insertionpost, each side portion having a transverse width that is greater than atransverse width of the insertion post, for impeding or hampering entryof the insertion post into the opening of the striker pin when thehandle member is outside the plane of the door frame by more than aselected angle, and for restricting side-ways pivotal movement of thehandle member to the selected angle when the insertion post extends intothe opening of the striker pin.

The outriggers of the device prevent, impede or hamper rotation of thedevice out of the plane of the door to prevents impede or hamperinsertion of the device from the wrong direction, due to the length ofthe outrigger. The outrigger extends on both sides of the device to befunctional regardless of the side of the vehicle being accessed. Eachwing or side of the outrigger has a length longer than the width of theinsertion post, without extending begin the door frame. The outriggerrests on the top surfaces of the striker pin during proper use of thedevice and is pushed down to bear the weight force extended by the user.The insertion post preferably has a surface which is designed to preventscratches of the door frame. For example the post, that is preferablymake of aluminum or other metal or hard polymer, may have a rubberizedor plastic outer surface treatment, e.g. by being spray coated, dippedor painted with elastomeric material.

The invention can be embodied has a straight or a round design, but eachmay be gripped with two hands, e.g. along the length of the straightembodiment, or on the upper and lower parts of the round design.

LEDs on the device helps the user find the vehicle key hole to unlockthe vehicle, and/or to help locate the striker pin in the dark and/or asa general purpose flashlight.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front, top, left perspective view of an assistance deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assistance device;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the assistance device;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the assistance device with parts of avehicle door frame to show an interaction of the invention with the doorframe;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the assistance device;

FIG. 6 is a front, top, left perspective view of another embodiment ofthe assistance device according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a front, top, left perspective view of a still furtherembodiment of the assistance device according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the assistance device of FIG. 1, engaged to thestriker pin on the door frame of a vehicle as it is to be used accordingto the invention;

FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of another embodiment of theassistance device according to the invention;

FIG. 9B is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a side elevational view of still another embodiment of theassistance device according to the invention;

FIG. 10B is a front elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is a front, top, left perspective view of another embodiment ofthe assistance device according to the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a front, top, left perspective view of a still otherembodiment of the assistance device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are usedto refer to the same or similar elements, FIGS. 1 to 4 and 8 show anassistance device 10 for aiding a user such as an elderly person and/orthe disabled and/or persons with joint (e.g. knee, back or hip) pain orthese recovering from surgery or an injury, or who are otherwiseinfirmed, to enter or leave a motor vehicle such as an automobile,through a door frame 12 of the vehicle, the door frame having a doorlatch striker or striker pin 14, usually a U-shaped design, with anopening therein. The striker pin or latch striker 14 extends from a sideof the door frame and is within the plane of the door frame 12, at alocation spaced by a distance D from an exterior of the door frame asshown in FIG. 4.

The assistance device 10, includes a handle member 16 with a softelastomeric grip area cover 116, the handle being of a size, shape andstrength adapted to be grasped by one or both hands of a user, forsupporting the weight of the user, as he or she pushes down on thedevice to enter or leave the vehicle. A striker pin insertion post 18 isconnected to an end of the handle member 16, and is of a size, shape andstrength adapted to extend into the opening of the striker pin 14 andhook onto the striker pin, so that the device rests on the striker pin14, for supporting the weight of a user grasping the handle member, tolean down on the striker pin, as he or she enters of leaves the vehiclethrough the door frame 12. The grip area cover 116, that is proved at anintermediate location along the handle member 16, acts as the handle ofthe device, in insure that user grasps the device in an optimum manner.The handle member is long enough to allow the user to also use his orher other hand also grasp the device if they wish, to further aide themto exert downward pressure on the striker latch 14, to help them risefrom the vehicle seat to leave the vehicle, or to gently sit in the seatwhile entering the vehicle.

In accordance with at least one advantageous feature of the invention,an outrigger 20 is connected to the handle member 16 and the insertionpost 18. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the outrigger 20 has oppositeside portions 20 a and 20 b that extend transversely outwardly of thehandle member and the insertion post on respective opposite sides of thehandle member and insertion post. The outrigger 20 also extends upwardlyof the handle member and post as best shown in FIG. 2.

As best shown in FIG. 3, each side portion 20 a and 20 b, has atransverse width W2 beyond the post 18, that is greater than atransverse width W1 of the insertion post itself. As shown in FIG. 4,this prevents or impedes entry of the insertion post 18 into the openingof the striker pin 14 when the handle member approaches the striker pinfrom outside the vehicle, because one of the side portions 20 a or 20 b(depending on which side of the vehicle is approached) will contact theside of the vehicle, outside the door frame, before the insertion post18 reaches the striker pin 14, due to its spacing D from the outside ofthe vehicle.

This insures that the user will use the assistance device 10 of theinvention to insert the insertion post 18 into the striker pin 14 onlywhen the handle member 16 extends generally and mostly in the plane ofthe door frame as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, theoutrigger 20 impedes entry of the insertion post 18 into the opening ofthe striker pin 14, when the handle member is outside the plane of thedoor frame.

The outrigger 20 also restricts the amount of side way pivotal movementthe handle member 16 can make when the insertion post 18 extends intothe opening of the striker pin 14. In this way, the elderly, disabled orinfirmed user feels more secure grasping and pressing down of the deviceof the invention to assist in rising from the vehicle seat and leavingthe vehicle and while entering the door frame to sit in the vehicleseat.

The outrigger 20 has a front surface opposite the handle member 16 thatextends across the front of each side portion 20 a, 20 b, and isgenerally co-planar with the flat front surface of the generallyquadrangular insertion pin 18 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. Theoutrigger 20 also has a rear surface 20 d facing the handle member 16that extends across the rear of each side portion 20 a, 20 b. Each sideportion has a downwardly facing lower surface 20 c next to an adjacentside of the insertion post 18. The rear surface 20 d extends upwardlyand to the sides of the handle member 16 to define a recess 16 c in thehandle member and to form a hand guard for the user, against the user'shand accidently sliding too far forward on the handle and toward theside of the door frame where it may get caught or pinched between thedevice and the door frame. This hand guard is further delineated by theupper recess 16 c at the upper front end of the handle member 16, and alower recess 16 b at the lower front end of the handle member 16 asshown in FIG. 2.

To further resist sliding of the user's hand toward the insertion postend of the device, the handle member also has a lower enlargement 16 anear the insertion post for increasing security of a user's grip on thehandle member.

To further enhance the utility of the assistance device of the inventionand as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the device includes at least one butpreferably two LEDs on the front surface of the outrigger 20, forilluminating the striker pin 14 and the corresponding side of the doorframe 12. To even further enhance the usefulness of the device and asshown in the exploded view of FIG. 5, the device also includes at leastone LED in each lower surface 20 c of outrigger 20, for casting lightdownwardly.

To still further enhance the utility of the assistance device, handlemember 16 includes a slit or slot 16 d spaced away from the insertionpost 18 and a cutting blade 50 in the slot for cutting a vehicle safetybelt during an emergency.

FIG. 5 illustrates the internal arrangement of the assistance device 10.The insertion post 18 is an integral part of an L-shaped metal corepiece 118 that is made of aluminum, steel or another hardened material,and that includes a cylindrical piece encased between plastic housinghalves 112 and 114 that form the handle member and outrigger. Plastichousing halves 112 and 114 contain reinforcing ribs and voids forsecurely immobilizing the core 118 therein when the halves are mated toeach other and connected to each other by screws or other means. Cuttingblade 50 is also immobilized between the housing halves 112 and 114,e.g. by one of the screws, and with its cutting edge in the handlemember slot 16 d as shown in FIG. 2.

A forward part of each of housing halves 112, 114, is enlarged to formthe respective opposite side portions 20 a and 20 b of the outrigger.Side portion 20 b includes and opening that is closed by a batterycompartment cover door 130 held over a battery compartment in portion 20b, by a screw. The interior of side portion 20 b is shaped to form abattery compartment for a button battery 106 that is inserted beforedoor 130 is closed over the compartment. Battery 106 is held betweenelectrical contacts of an LED circuit board 120 that also carries a pairof forward facing LEDs 102. One of the two additional down-facing LEDs108 is connected by wires to the circuit board 120. A push button switch104 is also connected by wires to the circuit board 120 for turning theLEDs on and off.

Appropriate internal voids and structures are also formed in housinghalves 112, 114 to securely support and position the LEDs, switch andcircuit board, when the halves are mated and connected to each other.

A curved grip area foundation piece 110 of plastic is also provided forbeing attached, e.g. by adhesive, to the top gripping area of the handlemember portion of the mated together halves 112, 114. Foundation piece110 includes shallow transverse ribs for improving a grip on the handlemember, and an opening for access to the button actuator of switch 104.A rubber or other soft elastomeric grip area cover 116 including a pushbutton area 122 is adhered over the foundation piece 110. Cover 116includes spaced, flexible, transverse ribs to further enhance the user'sgrip on the device. Push button area 122 is an integral part of the restof the cover 116, and is separated from the rest of the cover by a thinring to allow easier pushing of the area 122 to activate the switch 104below, while at the same time maintaining a water tight seal over themated housing halves 112 and 114.

Cover 116 forms the handle area of the device to encourage proper use dothe device on the strong hand of the user. The user may also use his orher other hand to also grasps the handle member 16 for added security.

In all embodiments of the invention, the insertion post 18 may becoated, dipped or painted with softer material like latex rubber or thelike, to prevent scratching any part of the vehicle while being used.Although the invention operates without softening the outer surface ofthe insertion post, the purpose of using a plastic insertion post orrubberizing or coating the post, is to avoid scratching the paint of acar or other vehicle door frame in case the post is not properlyinserted into the striker pin or if the user misses the striker pin.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, assistance device 11 of theinvention has a handle member 17 in the shape of a hoop or closed loopused in a generally vertical plane and having a gripping area, forexample, an upper gripping surface. As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to5, the assistance device 11 includes handle member 17 for supporting atleast part of the weight of the user grasping the handle member, astriker pin insertion post 19 for extending into the opening of astriker pin in the door frame, also for supporting at least part of theweight of a user grasping the handle defined at the cover 116 of thehandle member 16, and an outrigger 21 with a pair of side portionsextending transversely outwardly of the handle member and the insertionpost, on respective opposite sides of the handle member and insertionpost, each having a transverse width greater than a transverse width ofthe insertion post for hampering or impeding entry of the insertion postinto the opening of the striker pin when the handle member is outsidethe plane of the door frame by more than a selected angle and forrestricting side-ways pivotal movement of the handle member to theselected angle.

Forward and downward LEDs are also provided, as well as a safety beltcutter opposite the insertion post, and either near the top of the hoopshaped handle 17 as in FIG. 7, or near the bottom as in FIG. 6.

Since extra space is available in the bottom portion of the handlemember 17, a larger and greater capacity AAA or AA battery can be usedto power LEDs of the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery beingbehind a battery compartment door 131 in the lower portion of the hoopshaped handle in FIG. 6. In the embodiment of FIG. 7 a batterycompartment door may be in the same location as in FIG. 6, or it may beon one of the outrigger side portions as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to5.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, two hands can be used by the userto grasp the handle member in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, byholding the upper part of the ring shaped or round handle member withone hand, and by slipping the other hand into the opening of the handlemember and grasping the lower part of the handle member with the otherhand.

In two further embodiments of FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B, assistancedevices 310 and 311 of the invention have handle members either in theshape of a hoop, ring or round shape in FIGS. 9A and 9B or beingstraight in FIGS. 10A and 10B and having a gripping area spaced from astriker pin insertion post 318 in the case of FIGS. 10A and 10B or 319in the case of FIGS. 9A and 9B. In both embodiments the insertion posts318 and 319, which are not tapered, extend into the opening of a strikerpin or latch striker in a vehicle door frame. The insertion postsopposite flat smooth surfaces that terminate in a rounded conical orbullet shaped lower end. The smooth surfaces extend to the top of theirexposed lengths at the respective outrigger 320 and 321. A portion ofthe latch striker or striker pin will extend into the recess 316 or 317of these embodiments.

Each post 318 and 318 has a blunt rounded end 322 and 323 that can beused to break a vehicle window in an emergency, but is otherwise notsharp.

The smooth, featureless and flat surfaces of each post 318 and 319,allow easy insertion, use and then removal of the insertion posts 318and 319 into and out of a vehicle striker pin, with no locking,engagement or securement of the device to the striker pin, that maycause the infirmed or elderly user difficulty extracting the insertionpin. Despite this lack of locking, engagement or securement of theinsertion pin, once inserted, the user can push firmly down on thehandle without fear that it will be dislodged from the striker pin.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, assistance devices 210 and 211 ofthe invention have handle members 216 and 217 in the shape of a hoop orclosed loop used in a generally horizontal plane and having either onegripping area 230 spaced from a striker pin insertion post 218 in thecase of FIG. 11, or two gripping areas 231 on opposite sides of astriker pin insertion post 219 in FIG. 12. In both embodiments theinsertion posts 218 and 219 are for extending into the opening of astriker pin in a vehicle door frame.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, the assistance devices 210 and211, the handle members are for supporting at least part of the weightof the user grasping the handle or the handle member, the striker pininsertion post 218 and 219 for extending into the opening of a strikerpin in the door frame, also for supporting at least part of the weightof a user grasping the handle of the handle member. In these embodimentsas well, an outrigger is provided, this time made up of outrigger sideportions 220 a and 220 b in FIG. 11, extending transversely outwardly ofthe insertion post 218, on respective opposite sides of the insertionpost, but being formed as part of the handle member 216. As with theother embodiments of the invention each side portion has a transversewidth greater than a transverse width of the insertion post forhampering or impeding entry of the insertion post into the opening ofthe striker pin when the handle member is outside the plane of the doorframe by more than a selected angle and for restricting side-wayspivotal movement of the handle member to the selected angle.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, an outrigger is also provided as in FIG.11, made up of outrigger side portions 221 a and 221 b in FIG. 12,extending transversely outwardly of the insertion post 219, onrespective opposite sides of the insertion post, and being formed aspart of the handle member 217.

Forward and downward LEDs are also provided in the side portions ofFIGS. 11 and 12.

As with the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7, extra space is available inthe bottom portion of the handle members 216 and 217 for a larger andgreater capacity AAA or AA battery can be used to power the LEDs ofthese embodiments.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. An assistance device for entering and leaving avehicle comprising: a handle member for supporting at least part of theweight of a user grasping the handle member; a striker pin insertionpost connected to the handle member for extending into an opening of astriker pin in a door frame of the vehicle; and an enlarged area betweenthe handle member and striker pin insertion post, extending transverselyoutwardly of the insertion post, on respective opposite sides of thehandle member and the insertion post, wherein the handle member isstraight and has an axis, the device including at least one LED forcasting light parallel to the axis.
 33. The assistance device of claim32, wherein the enlarged area has a rear surface facing the handlemember, the rear surface extending upwardly and to the sides of thehandle member to define a hand guard for the user.
 34. An assistancedevice for entering and leaving a vehicle comprising: a handle memberfor supporting at least part of the weight of a user grasping the handlemember; a striker pin insertion post connected to the handle member forextending into an opening of a striker pin in a door frame of thevehicle; and an enlarged area between the handle member and striker pininsertion post, extending transversely outwardly of the insertion post,on respective opposite sides of the handle member and the insertionpost; wherein the enlarged area has a pair of opposite side portions anda front surface opposite the handle member that extends across a frontof each side portion and a rear surface facing the handle member thatextends across a rear of each side portion, each side portion having adownwardly facing lower surface next to an adjacent side of theinsertion post, the rear surface extending upwardly and to the sides ofthe handle member to define a hand guard for the user, the deviceincluding at least one LED for casting light parallel to an axis of thehandle member.
 35. (canceled)
 36. The assistance device of claim 32,wherein the handle member has a lower enlargement near the insertionpost for increasing security of the user's grip on the handle member,and a recess between the enlargement and an upper end of the insertionpost for improving insertion of the insertion post into the striker pinopening.
 37. An assistance device for entering and leaving a vehiclecomprising: a handle member for supporting at least part of the weightof a user grasping the handle member; a striker pin insertion postconnected to the handle member for extending into an opening of astriker pin in a door frame of the vehicle; and an enlarged area betweenthe handle member and striker pin insertion post, extending transverselyoutwardly of the insertion post, on respective opposite sides of thehandle member and the insertion post; wherein the handle member has alower enlargement near the insertion post for increasing security of theuser's grip on the handle member, and a recess between the enlargementand an upper end of the insertion post for improving insertion of theinsertion post into the striker pin opening, the enlarged area havingfront and rear surfaces extending outwardly of the handle member, thehandle member being straight and having an axis, the device including aplurality of LEDs for casting light parallel to the axis.
 38. Theassistance device of claim 32, wherein handle member includes a slot anda cutting blade in the slot for cutting a vehicle safety belt during anemergency.
 39. The assistance device of claim 32, wherein the handlemember is in the shape of a hoop having an upper gripping surface. 40.The assistance device of claim 34 wherein the enlarged area has a rearsurface facing the handle member, the rear surface extending upwardlyand to the sides of the handle member to define a hand guard for theuser.
 41. The assistance device of claim 34, wherein the handle memberhas a lower enlargement near the insertion post for increasing securityof the user's grip on the handle member, and a recess between theenlargement and an upper end of the insertion post for improvinginsertion of the insertion post into the striker pin opening.
 42. Theassistance device of claim 34, wherein handle member includes a slot anda cutting blade in the slot for cutting a vehicle safety belt during anemergency.
 43. The assistance device of claim 34, wherein the handlemember is in the shape of a hoop having an upper gripping surface. 44.The assistance device of claim 37, wherein the enlarged area has a rearsurface facing the handle member, the rear surface extending upwardlyand to the sides of the handle member to define a hand guard for theuser.
 45. The assistance device of claim 37, wherein the handle memberhas a lower enlargement near the insertion post for increasing securityof the user's grip on the handle member, and a recess between theenlargement and an upper end of the insertion post for improvinginsertion of the insertion post into the striker pin opening.
 46. Theassistance device of claim 37, wherein handle member includes a slot anda cutting blade in the slot for cutting a vehicle safety belt during anemergency.
 47. The assistance device of claim 37, wherein the handlemember is in the shape of a hoop having an upper gripping surface.